CARLTON Reserves Coach Damian Truslove was pleased with his side's response despite Saturday's loss to Werribee.

Praising the group's renewed intensity, commitment to its values, Truslove spoke of the belief the performance can provide heading into next week's clash with Richmond.

Thoughts on the performance:

"I was really proud of the boys. We had a big week on the track, and a strong focus on being more competitive and getting back to our values.

"The boys brought that on the weekend really well: they fought hard and fought the game right out. Unfortunately, we were a bit inaccurate in front of goal, but other than that, it was a good effort."

The week's focus:

"We had some honest conversations on Monday around where we're at individually and collectively, and the boys were really good about that. We built the week really well. We had two good sessions on Tuesday and Thursday, prepared well and subsequently played a pretty strong game."

On seeing a response:

" I thought it was led by our skipper today, Darcy Tucker. Having him back in the team, he leads by high standards, and I thought our older boys really stood up today. Jordan Boyd, Lewis Young, Cooper Lord and Lachie Fogarty, these experienced players were really influential in the game."

What stood out most:

"It was probably our ability to put pressure on the opposition and take away their game, to pressure them and then get territory on the back of that.

“Unfortunately, we kicked far too many points again, but we'll get to work on that this week. If we bring that effort and intensity most weeks, we'll win a lot of games."

Building belief:

"It gives them confidence too, and belief. We had a good run about six weeks ago. We won five in a row, and the boys probably lost a bit of confidence in the last month. But today they got a bit back, and we'll look forward to Richmond next week."

Standout performers:

" I thought Lewis Young, Adam Saad and Jordan Boyd down back. Cooper Lord, Lachie Fogarty and Darcy Tucker in the midfield fought really hard, and I thought our wingers – Lucas Camporeale and Campbell Chesser - were solid.”

Focus ahead of Richmond:

"It'll be a similar focus. We'll continue to drive our values and the team-first mindset. If we bring that intensity and effort that we did today, we'll be in the game."